It's especially cool to see this b/c David's father and my father were colleagues & close friends (who unfortunately both died way too young). Haven't seen David for about 20 years, but hope to catch up sometime when I'm in Montana. Thank for the essay!

I am in awe of all of you who can do such trips! The CDT is, at the moment, something way out of my league. I can't wait to start honing my skills, and relearning old skills on shorter trails so that someday I can attempt the CDT. The photos helped me feel both the beauty and the awesome powerful size of the CDT. Thank you!

I think we humans need such areas to in order to keep our hubris in check, and to remind us of our proper place in the scheme of things. We are a part, not apart, and certainly not above, the Earth.

I remember on solo on my Outward Bound trip (in Canyonlands), how I was struck by a paradox that occurred to me, as I was hurrying to set up my little shelter before a storm moved in. The paradox was this: the environment is at the same harsh (it can kill us), but fragile (humankind so easily destroy it); demanding of me, yet indifferent to me and my fears. I looked around at the huge, overwhelming size of the wilderness I was in, and thought, "It is so big, and I'm so little."